Apparatus for nebulizing



Aug. 5, 1952 F. H. ADAMS ErAl. 2,605,764

APPARATUS FOR NEBULIZING Filed Jan. 23, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. FPA/VK H. ADAMS wm /AM P. ADA M5 BY l l I A TTNE Y Aug. 5, 1952 F. H. ADAMS HAL APPARATUS FOR NEBULIZING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1948 INVENTORS. FRANK H, ADAMS w/L/AM R. ADA Ms ATTORNEY Aug. 5,

Filed Jan 1952 F. H. ADAMS ETAI. 2,505,764

APPARATUS FOR NEBULIZING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. FRANK ADAMS WILL/AM R ADAMS ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 5, 1952 NTED" STATE-'S PATENT. Owl-CE1;

APPARATUS YFOR NEBUZINGW` Hfdamswand William P. Adams, v n

Scke? Heightsohi". e Application January 23, 1948, Serial No. r3,918 I ironing.' (cl. 12s-203)' This invention relates to nebulizers, and more particularly to portable nebulizing. .apparatus adapted to treat respiratory infections..

It is well known that the economic loss to individuals and business as a result of time lost on account of sickness due to upper respiratory infections is very great. These infections range from the common head cold through various bacterial infections of the nose, sinuses, middle ears, pharynX, larynx, trachae, bronchi, and lungs.Y Such infections Vmay be primary in any oney of the above organs or 'may exist in combinations of two or moreof the'same or may be the result of a secondary invasion of the area by baoteria'which attack anarea attenuated by someprevious agent such as a Virus, allergan or physical agent. Many individuals are particularlysuseeptible to respiratory infections and,l

due to theirA low resistance, never escape the chain of complicationsv brought about by secondaryV bacterial invasionsinaugurated by the ordif nary head cold.

During the past few years, a method hasbeen developed for the treatment of chronic respiratoryfiniections,l which method is particularly applicable for these cold susceptible, low-immunity individuals. This method of treatment consists in the administration of a medicament by the aerosol or inhalation route. This method of treatment has proven to be of considerable value dueto the fact that the medicaments used come into direct contact with the tissues involved while at the same time a desired blood concentration may be attained. The usual medication for this process is penicillin, although streptomycinmay be combined with penicillin or may be given alternatelytherewith. The medicamentvof the desireddosage is usually dissolved in a small volume of normal salt solution to prepare it for the inhalation process. This solution is then atomized by a stream of oxygen which is inhaled-by the recipientvfor a period of about tenminutes,

usuallyabout four1 times a day. 'In hospitals,`

the patient Ahas access to large tanks of oxygen equipped with flow meters or other adjustable valves for controllingv 'the rrate of yoxygen flow from the pressure container therefor. V'IhisoXygen vstream flows through a' nebulzer and effects theiatomization of the penicillin solution and the carrying of thedesired amount of the medicament into the respiratory system of the pa:- tient. Usually the neubilizer has a' Y-tube provided'in its circuit so asto allow the oxygen carrier Vgas to be diverted to the atmosphere during exhalation of the patient.

ythe treating apparatus hasbeen a`.vail'able.v Of

course, such apparatus couldberented or bought for use in the home, but to doso would be.;quite expensive. Furthermore, such apparatus utilizes oxygen storage tanks which are very heavyand require several menand a truck formovinggthe same. Moreover, at least one-half of the oxygen and medicament is wasted' due to .theflive'rsionL of the same to the atmosphere when the vkpatient eXhales. L w; It is among the objects ofthe presentinvention to provide nebulizing apparatuswhichavoids and overcomes the' drawbacks vand.'undesirablefea-fAK turesrinherent in Kprior apparatusused for the.- treatment oi'respiratory disorders and ,to.pro vide a portable.nebulizationapparatus which isi characterized by its Vlightweight and effectivee ness and simplicity in operation. f 1 Another object. of. the Yinventionis to. provide-.1v a portable nebulizer apparatus whichis compact;v efficient in action andsafe topoperate and'stor'el Another object of the/inventionisttdprovide a nebulizer vwhich can bereadily cleanedand. whichV effectively.` and eiiciently Ybreaks rup. Vthe medicament-I entrainedin a vstream/of gasltocpreeA vent. the ejection of large globules of medicali-; ment. 1 v 'Jf Another object of the invention is -to' providei a control distributor which is manually operated by the recipient of the atomi'zed medicament;Lv which recipient can observe theV rate fof fl'ow'o'if the gas and can easily Toont-,rol the sama .'.xQ 'l f A further object of the invention is to provide a distributor fori'nebulization apparatus .which distributor has a flexible diaphragm at one mar# l gin serving to eiectmanual vcontrol of'lgalsnow.

therethrough,V l Y' A further object lofthe inventionis to providef'f a distributor f orfnebulizationV apparatus Ywher an easilyv adjusted discharge valve-"isl provided? for limiting and controlling th rate of dischargeof carrier gas from the distributor.A` 'f Still anotherrobject ofthe invention is to vide a distributor for the nebulizer apparatus wherein a pluralityof safety means-are provide'd'j to prevent excess pressures from accumula 'GhIQm-r, 1 Yet another Objectis@ provide' plurality pressure reducingdevies betweena'gaspstora e 1 tank and a respiratory tube nnebuliza on paratus. y l j 3 Various objects and advantageous features of the invention not at this time more particularly enumerated, will become more apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated and wherein: p

Figure 1 is a perspective View of apparatus embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the nebulizer of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 2; v

Figure 4 is a side elevational view partially in section, of the distributor device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged front elevational View of the distributor device and the means to which is connects;

Figure 6 isv an enlarged fragmentary elevational view: partially in section, of the apparatus fr charging the gas supply tank;

'Figure '1 is an enlarged verticalY sectional View taken .on line 1 1 of Figure 4;

Figure'8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line-88 of Figure 7 Figure v9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 7 YFigure 10` is a side elevational view, partiallyy in'section, of an adjustable metering nozzle used with the `apparatus of Figure '7; `and Figure'll is an end elevational View of the nozzle of Figure 10. V

` Reference is Vnow made to the details of the ccl'istruction shown in the drawings wherein nebulizing apparatus generally indicated by the numeral 20 is provided, which apparatus iscompact and of lightweight so as to be readily portable'. lThe apparatus is especially adapted for L the controlled spraying' of a liquid medicament by means of a carrier gas under pressure tor be inhaled into the respiratory system. The nebulization apparatus broadly comprises a portable',-lightweightV gas container 2l which is of cylindricalshapaia vdistributor and .control device-22 mou'ntedV on the outlet Vof the gas contain'er 2|, a hose'asseinbly 23 that connectsftoa source of gas supply for recharging the gas container 2|, and anebulizer 24 which is connected to the distributor device 22 by means of a flexiblehose- 25.

The gascontainer v2| for providing-,a supply ofcarrier gas under Apressure may be formed of any lconventional vlight weight material in any desired manner and is` provided with a metal frame or stand 26 which receives the lower end of the gas container 2l for supporting the s ame in--an upright position. `Usually a cover 21 is providedlfor the gas 4container 2l and it `may be made from any suitable material such as canvas and be provided with a draw string 28 atone end thereof `to facilitate engagement of the cover with-fthe upper end of thev gas container. A carrying strap 29 also may lbe rprovided for the cover 21 to facilitate 'transportation ofthe appa'lus: v

'Areaded into the upper end of the gas container-2l Vis one outlet of a shut-off valve. 3i) having aucontrol handle 3| extending therefrom whereby lgas now to and from the container V2l, maybe regulated when desired. Leading from the other outlet of the valve 3l to the inlet of the pressure control devicel 22 is aconventional connctr'tting 32.

The construction of the distributor device'22 A'is' 4 best shown in Figures 7 and 8 and comprises a substantially hollow, cylindrical body 33. The body 33 has one end wall formed integrally therewith and the opposite open end has closure means releasably associated therewith to provide a safety release in case excessive pressure accumulates within the body 33. Hence, a flexible diaphragm 34, usually formed from rubber or a similar material, extends across the open end of the body 33 and is maintained in operative position by means of a metal cap 35, preferably cup shaped and adapted to telescopically engage with the periphery of the body 33. The cap 35 has an end flange 36 formed thereon (see Fig- Vure 4) and is held in position on the body 33 by means of a plurality of springs 31 extending between outwardly projecting lugs 33 formed on the body 33 and the end ange 36 of the cap.

lThe springs 31 are provided of a predetermined strength so that if an excessive pressure should accumulate within the chamber defined by the body 33 which might prove hazardous to the user of the apparatus, such pressure on the diaphragm The pressure gauge is in communication through the passage 39a with the tank 2 l, when the latter is open to the distributor device 22V topermitwthe flow of gas thereto thereby serving to indicate tothe user of the device pressure of the gas within the tank. Intersecting the rib 33 and eX- tending to the wall of the body 33 is a tubular boss 43 having a passage 44. suitably tapped to receive a conventional valve body 45 housing-therewithin a valve member 46. The valve body 45 is adapted to receive one 4end of the hose assembly 23 as will be described hereinafter.

Theboss 48 defining the inlet port receives a valve body 41 which is provided with a `transverseaperture 41a in the wall thereof to coincidewith the end of the passage 39a to effect therewith communication with the bore 52 of the valve body 41.

-Flow -of gas from the gas container 2l into` the distributor device 22 is controlled byfmeans of a valve member 49 associated with the inner end of the valve body 41. A tubular valve sleeve `50 is-.in threaded engagement -with the endv of the valve body 41 and Yaids in retaining the valve member'dS in position for Aaxial movement with respect to the valve body 41 to effect-opening and closing of the end of bore 52 by the valve seat insert 5l. with a plurality of holes 53 to facilitate thev flow of gas into the distributor chamber. Theposition of the valve member 49 is controlled by means of a Vpin 54 which extends Vsubstantially axially and isV actuated by means of a lever "arm 56 pivotally secured thereto by means of 'a pinl 55. The lever arm 55 is journaled'on a fulcru'm pin 51v which is in turn mounted in a bracket 58 The boss v43 is The valve sleeve 5B is providedl nuts. B0.; thai-,gare in threaded ,engagementY with f the lower end of the .pin 54.Y Hence the coil springif wherein the valveseat insert 5| is, tightly pressed againstA the end v.of the valve body 47. Inl this positiomthe free end of the lever arm 55v eX- tendsto a point adjacent the center -of the diaphragm 34at which point acontrolbutton 6I.

is mounted on the diaphragmin such a manner as to readily engage the end ofthe arm 5,6 upon inward `'movement ofthe` diaphragm 315.-"l The controlbutton Slis `secured at its peripheryto the ...inner .surface of .the diaphragmfl in. ally conventional manner soasvto be 'in sealed enl gagement .therewith` and,v extends outwardly throughY an axialopening la inthe cap4 35. The control .button 6l isA provided to `permitimanual controlof the position of thevalve member 49 from 'a.point outside of the distributor device 22. Usually .a separate control lever is associated with the control button SI tosimplify movement thereof andin the illustrated instance a lever;62 is fulcrumed at one end on a bracket 63 that yis secured to the cap V35. to the outer end ofthe control button 6I by means of a screw 6d'. and a coil spring 65 is compressed between the lever S2 and the outersurface of thecap .35 for urging thelever 6 2 to its outermost position whengnoV external force is exerted thereon; 1 L

AInasmuch as the. gas container 2l is of lightweight portable construction, it cangonly hold ,a limited Vquantity of compressed gas. While the amount of gas retained in the container is enough for Vthe use vof the apparatus in a normal manner for several days, it still will be necessary frequently to replenishthe charge of gas in the container. This gas `replenishingjoperation is facilitated by theprovision 'of the valve body l5 that-is' mounted in then distributor device V22. The conventional connector hose'assembly 2 3 (Figure 6) is adapted to beremovably engaged with the valve body ,G5 and. connects the distributor .device to a standardv high pressure gas storage cylinder.

which includes locking arms 'l2 that are assoclated Awith and carried by acontrol band 13 which extends aroundxthe valve body `155 and has a handle portion. 'Hl formedintegrally therewith.

Arcuate movement cf the control band with rela'- The lever t2 is secured The hose assembly ymay in-VV lclude Ya Vquickly releasable coupling `Adevice 'il outer end. The coupling device 'll has'a plug n 'i6 secured thereto by means of a chain Il 'so that theplug can be engaged with vthe coupling device 'il to seal 'same when thedevice is not engaged rwith-the valve body e5." The coupling device l7H also has a valvel 'i8 p'rovidedtherein which wiii'eg'age 'with the Vvalve ce to opensame when thelcoupling devic'ell is engaged with the lvalve body-"45T j v 1 A`c`onventional hose 'ita connects ther coupling device 'H t'a secondV conventional coupling assembly lll. safety valve 8l andan 82 'that serves to secure outlet of aVV standard adapten or l coupling `nut This coupling assembly-includes a the hosea'ssembly to theY high pressure gas storage:

cylinder.: Usually the safety-,valve 8;may;beg of relatively. high pressure release type and maybe adapted to stand `up to .500 lpounds Vper 'square inch. As pointed out hereinbefore, gas flowingY to the distributorxZZ fromthe hoseconnector assembly 2.3 vwill pass throughzthe connector conduit 39a, passage 41a, and bore, 52 to the. gas..v

container 2l and be stored therein for gradual release. by means ofA the. valve member 49 andv associated distributor means.k A The body 33 is formed with anenlargedwall portionV 84 which is provided with oppositelyexl tending .bores 85 and. 86 and an intersecting bore 81 allof which `aresuitably tapped. YThreaded the peripheryof the itting 8B ,down into Vthe chamber 92 will remain in such chamber temporarily until any foreign particles carried thereby will have anopportunity to settle prior to the passage of the gas through the screen til. The screen 9!! Whichissecured tol the fitting in any conventional manner as by soldering is preferably cylindrical.` with Aa solidjbottom so that the gas moving into the boreor passage 8S must pass through .thelateral portions of the screen. Preferably .the filtering and settling member 9i is formed from arelativelystiffv but flexible material such as rubber, which is molded to a predetermined shape so as to t closely .ad-

jacent to the periphery of the fitting 88. Threaded into the bore- 86 is a conventional Ametering or gauge device 93 which measures the rate of ow'of gas `through'the passage 89 from the chamber of the distributor 22 and indicates the same in any conventional manner. whichmay be by the number of liters per minute flowing at anyy given time. Threaded into the Vbore 81 is a. t-l

ting 94 which is adapted to receive one end of the hose 25 which conveys the gas to the nebu- In order to provide an adjustment for the rate of gas ow from the distributor device 22 an adjustable metering valve (see Figures '7, 10 and 11) is mounted in the discharge tting 94. The valve 95 has threads 9 6 `formed on its periphery and is provided with asplit conical end portion el. The conical end 97 of the valve 95 is adapted to engage a tapered shoulder 98 formed in the tting Q4 so vthatwith adjustment ofthe position of the reducing valve axiallyof the tting the opening of thebore through .the valve 95 can be varied to control the now of gas therethrough. Adjustment of the valve 95 serves lto calibrate the liter'meter gauge and control the number of liters of gasV ilowing per minute." `A

s101199 is lprovided Ain the outer'end of the valve member Q for engagement with a suitable tool for adjusting the same.v u v As a furthersafety vdevicfefor thedistributor 22there is provided a relief valvecllll .which is mounted in the enlargement 84 and is/in cornmunication with the-bore a5 through a trans- This relief valve versely extending vbore 1 0-la. usually'k is set for a relatively lowf pressure, sucl 1 7. aslaboutflfteen poundsV per square. inch whereby entry of. gas. at. higher pressures` intolthe. nebulizer 24 is prevented. As. pointed out hereinbefore,- the entire cap assembly .S5-can be .blown oi the distributor should excesszpressures build up therein. Ordinary pressure within the .distributorwill be controlled: satisfactorily. by. means of" the controlledfppeningof the valve member 49 together with the release of: gasf from the;dis tributor through thenebulizerlfd.: y

As, illustratedin Figures Lan-d1 3 relatively low pressure gasA isLconveyed from the distributor; ide.- vice 221 through. the hose 25 tothe gas inlet nozzle |02 of. the. nebulizer 24.. The.: nebulizer: 241 is generally sphericahin shape andnis provided with.l

an aspirator tubev |03; extending vertically thereof', which tube |03t`is. supported by. a web |035a. formed -integrallywith'- the nozzle |02. 'The Vas.- piratorv tube |03.' terminates. :immediately Vadjacentand in front'ofthe innerend ofv the nozzle |02 so as tossuck upliqui'd materialr disposed4 in a sump |04r formed in member |05 whichds adapted'to` be threaded into an outwardlypextending boss formed on the body'ofthe nebulizer. 24. As. pointed out. hereinbefore,` the. apparatus of the invention can be used with any'desired. medicament and one such medicament. for .which the apparatusis Well suited is a solution ofi penicillin, which material may be introduced into the sump |04 throughthe inlet |10. rBy thegprovision of the removable member |05. theeaspirator tube |03 maybe cleaned of. any foreign matter which may become..lodgedthereintand interfere with theeicient operation. of. the'device. The

nebulizer includes aV relatively large discharge tube |06 positioneddiametrically opposite to the. inlet nozzle |02,.and; acurved baille` |01. is formed withinthe nebulizer extending. upwardly and rearwardly of the nebulizer fromza point adjacent the innerendo the. discharge tube |00. This bafiie |01.l terminates in. an. end section lwhich usually is. substantially.` cylindrical` in :cross-s60.- tion and extends transversely of' the. nebulizer. A deadrairrspace isprovided in the .nebulizer 241by. means of the baffle wall |01 .which extends vertically downwardly from the cylindrical.v section |08 to a.. point adjacent Yand immediately. A.above the Y member |05. Thus, gas flowing .into the nebulizer'will enter sameat a relatively. high velocity 'through the relatively small inlet `nozzle |02 and will draw a quantity of liquid up through the aspirator-tube |03and piclrup-liquidlparticlesas thelgas streams over the endof thatube |03. This blast ofv medicant carrying air Vwill then limpinge on the cylindrical section |08 of. the baie creating a turbulence in suchgasv breakingv up some of' the larger particles of theliquid and depositing the remaining upon the baille which are-returned to thesump |04.

' The pressure' ofvv thegaswithin the nebulizer is reduced to substantially f atmospheric by means of the relatively Vlarge air inletvllwhich isv formed inthe nebulizerV and extends radially inwardly thereof to aV point adjacentto therear ofthe discharge endoithe inlet nozzle |021.- It will be seen" that'a person breathing through the discharge tube |06' of the *nebulizer 24 will receive air throughthe air-inlet ||0 pluseanydesired quantity of gas having-the medicament entrained therein; By'meansof themanual4 control for the flow of; gas through the distributor 22 *anyl person using the. apparatusA of. the: invention can.. provide as much, or as littleof the gas,-and hence the medicament, `as :desired The use-ofthe apparatus'ofthe. invention-is;

usually; onlyqforvery. limitedperiods ati regular' intervalsu throughout they day. -I-Ience,r a person. can use the apparatusuntil the gas pressure'within the cylinder 52| isv .substantially exhausted aftervwhich the gascontainer may be replenished prior to further. use of the apparatus. In using the .apparatus of my invention. th

userthereoffrst opens the valve 30. by means of Gas under pressure. flows. fromA the tank2| intothe bore 52..of the'valve1body` the handle 6.3i..

41 and is restrained from owing into the .cham-a .berof body-'33 bysvalve member 49. Thexbore: 52

being in communication with the .pressure gauge. 42 through-passages 41a and 39a theJpressurez-oithe gas Within.. the tank. 2| is indicatedonfthe pressure gauge 42- uponthe opening. of thevalve 30. At this pointthe user introduces thedesired amount ofV the medicament solution. into the sump |04- of the nebulizer through.V the; air inlet H0. The. apparatus is now. in condition for1thev moves the pin 54Jiupwardly .unseatingathef'valve Gas.`

member v`49 from the end of the bore 52. lls the chamber within the distributor 22 'and' flows out through screen S0', passage 89 intothe boreof fitting 94, through metering valveg95 dis-f posed therein and thence through flexible-hose. 25110 the gas inlet |62 of theA nebulizer 24. The gauge 93 isdisposedin communication with. the passage `89 and i serves .to indicate theamount of' flow of gas out of thedistributor22.

Gas flowing through. passage |021 under pres sure aspirates the solution .of medicament in the nebulizer and propels the same outwardly through the 'discharge' tube |06 Where it is; ref

ceived by theYpatient-.being treated.

Tests in the treatment of chronic respiratory infectedY individuals have shown, that; nebulizasince the apparatus can be used as. a quick, easy, portable source of' oxygen for use in.` treating: shock;'coronary occlusion and other emergencies. Furthermore, other medicaments such asadren-A alin, aminophyllin-and oxygen-helium mixtures,

may be used' for individual relief in many. cases by .asithmatics The usev of streptomcyin has previously been mentioned and thisy material has demonstrated to be effective in curing infections with vthe hemphilus bacillus; especially .pneu-f monia, influenza .and whooping-cough. Italso is very valuableinclearing up local lesions of tubereulosis` in. the upperA respiratory passages.

providedY foruse in inhalation of medicament into thefrespiratorysystem.

Having thusv described our inventionv so that thosevskilled in the vart may be .able to understand and; practice the-same .what we desir'e to obtain Pyrirbensamine may be used in treatment of allergiesY andis,.ve1ry.effec tive inthe treatment ofana. phylactic shock byinhalation. Hence nebuliza-f tion apparatus haswide usage at preSentfand-a. much greater field probably lies in the futurefor L "it particularly where. a compact portable 'unit is- 9 by Letters Patent is dened in the appended claims.

i We' claim: y

1. In apparatus of the class described, a distributor comprising a substantially hollow cylinsaid body for indicating the pressure in the-:gas

storage container, a discharge oric'e being formed in saidbody and extending therethrough to connect the interior of said body to an inlet port associated with said storage container, a valve member associated with said discharge orifice for controllingr gas flow therethrough, a'

discharge conduit for said distributor extending thereinto, means for controlling the position of said valve from a point outside of the distributor, and means including a filtering and settling member'associated with said discharge conduit for preventing foreign matter from being carried from the distributor by discharged gas. 2. In a nebulizing apparatus, a distributor and pressure reducing member, said distributor being provided with one conduit for connection to a high pressure gas container, a main valve associated with said conduit for closing same, spring means urging said main valve into engagement with said conduit to control the Vgasrilow therethrough, a lever arm secured to said main valve for unseating same,` said lever arm being received within said distributor and extending to a point adjacent the periphery thereof, said distributor having a -flexible diaphragm secured thereto to form the confining surface yfor said distributor adjacent the free yend of said lever arm, a control button secured to said flexible diaphragm and extending therethrough to a point outside said distributor, said control button being adapted to engage with the free end of said lever arm upon inward movement of said diaphragm with relation to said distributor and a control lever arm carried on the outer surface of said distributor and associated with said control member for varying the position of same with relation to said distributor so as to regulate the position of said lever arm` and gas flow through said conduit.

3. In a nebulizing apparatus, a distributor and pressure reducing member, said distributor being provided with one conduit for connection to a high pressure gas container, a valve associated with said conduit for closing same, spring means urging said valve into engagement withV said conduit to control the flow of gas therethrough, a lever arm secured to said valve for unseating same, said lever arm being received within said distributor and extending to a point adjacent the periphery thereof, said distributor having a flexible diaphragm secured thereto to form the confining surface for said distributor adjacent the free end of said lever arm, and a control button secured to said flexible diaphragm and extending therethrough to a point outside said distributor, said control button being adapted to engage with the free end of said lever arm upon inward movement of said diaphragm with relation to said distributor so as to regulate the position of said lever arm and gas flow through said conduit.

4. In apparatus for use in administering a ber reaches apredetermined point;`

10 medicament Vin atomized form for rinhalation wherein 'a' nebulizer isy operatively lconnected through conduit with'a source of gas under pressure, a hollowgas distributor Adevice for' regulating thefflow of gas through the conduit 'comprising afhousing 'defining a chamber, valve -m'eans' disposed within the chamber-l for control'- lin'g'theow of gas through 'the distributor and meansfformanually actuating saidV valve means vfrom apoint exteriorly of said housing, said actuating means includinga diaphragm adapted to be Vreleased when pressure withinthe cham- 5v.jIn apparatus for use "in administering'aliquid medicament :in atomized form for inhalation `wherein a nebulizer'isoperatively connectedl b y conduitto va sourcejof gasv under pressure, a

hollow'gas distributor device for regulating the carriedby said diaphragmand extending to a point exteriorly of said housing. 6. In apparatus for use in administeringav liq`- uid medicament in ato'mizedform f or inhalation wherein a nebulizer is operatively'connected by conduit to a. sourceuofv gas underpressura a hollow gas distributor device for regulating/righe supply of gas through'l the conduit comprising. a

housing dening al chamber, valve means Ydisposed Wthin the chamber' for'.- controlling the flowv of gas therethrough,v means for'manually actuating said valve means from'apointjoutside the housing, a safety release device' secured to the housing and arranged to release upon the building up of excessive pressure within the said chamber, a discharge fitting secured to said housing and an adjustable valve member as sociated with said discharge fitting serving to meter the iiow of gas from the distributor device.

7. In apparatus for use in administering a liquid medicament in atomized form for inhalation wherein a nebulizer is operatively connected by conduit to a container providing a source of gas under pressure, a hollow gas distributor device for regulating the supply of gas through the conduit comprising a housing dening a cham,- ber, a connector fitting secured to the housing for ready connection to a gas supply member for recharging the container through the gas distributor device, valve means disposed within said chamber for controlling the flow of gas therethrough, a lever arm associated with said valve for actuating the same, a flexible diaphragm mounted in sealed relation with one wall of the housing, said lever arm terminating adjacent the center position of said diaphragm and a control member in sealed engagement with said diaphragm extending to a point outside of the housing and engageable with the end of said lever for moving the same to open the said valve means. v

8. In apparatus for use in administering a liquid medicament in atomized form for inhalation wherein a nebulizer is connected by conduit to a source of gas under pressure, a hollow gas distributor device for regulating the supply ofigas through the .conduit `comprisingA a;housing ydefinir-lg fa chamb er; valve means .mounted'fWi-thin fsaid chamber a forA controlling.I .the iloW of- 'leas .through -therzchamben '.mea-ns Jfor actuating said valvefmeans from a-;point exteriorly of i the housing, Vsaid actuating-,meanscomprising .a di-a- .phragm extendingacross one vwall of the housing, a leverarmv Yassociatedwith `said Valve means havingrvthe freeend thereof positioned vadjacent `the diaphragm-.and adapted .-tobe engaged therel'by and.a...manua11y lactuated control member carried. by said diaphragm .and extending vto a point outside of said distributor. -a safety release device operable whenthehpressure `Within .the .chambenreaches .a predetermined point .secured to .xsaidl housing, adschargetting secured,y to

said .distributor device, and `an adjustableuvalve member.. associatedwith said .discharettingmr metering the -lowlof ,gas from. the .distributor device.,

9In apparatus for. usefin administering. a l

liquid. medicament .in .atomizediorm for .inhalation wherein .a .nebulizer receixzes. gas .through .a conduit .from .a high .pressure .storage container,

.alow .pressure gas distributormember .containing v.a, .control valve, manually .operable meansfor v.actuating .said ,control valve to regulate ,the now of ,.gas. .through the. distributor, said. distributor including. a. safety release plate .adapted to .be released upon pressure exceeding av predetermined amount. Within said distributor, spring means .for securingsaid. release.. `plate to said distributor and means.k associatedwith said'release .I .plate for controlling.v the .actuation of said .control valve.

1'0.' vIn .apparatus for use in.. administering a liquidmedicament iin .atomized form .for inhalation vvhereina nebulizerisoperatively connected by conduit Ato ahigh. pressure .gas vstorage l.con-

..tainerforgproviding asupply of gas .under pressiiretofthev nebulizer, `ajlowpressure y.gas distributor.. device forregulalting the flow of .gas

through the v,conduit and containing therewithin a control valve for controlling the .oWiof gas through the distributor, a safety release plate adapted to be released upon pressureiexceeding aA predetermined amount Withinisaid distributor rand spring means securingsaidiplate in `position.

11. In apparatus-for use in administering a liquid medicamentiin atomized form for inhalation wherein a nebulizer is connected by conduit toa high pressure `gas `storage container, a low pressure hollow gas distributor -device .having-a pressure control valve ,therewthin Vfor-regulating the flow of gas.through the lconduit, said.' valve 4adapted to control ltheflow voigas .throughwthe distributor .memben ,a discharge conduit .extending into the interior of the .distributor .from one :margin thereof and. a. substantially resilient filtering and `settling memberencompassing the inner end .of said discharge `conduit in closely spaced association. therewith to prevent the ilow of any large particles. of :foreign material ,from

the distributor;

F'RANKH. ADAMS. W'ILLIAM 'Pf ADAMS.A

REFERENCES CITED The` following references are of record inthe iii-e of y,this lpatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS' 

